One was a lawyer who has fought cases for 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims with missionary zeal. The other was a 71-year-old matriarch of a family that lost five members during the bloody rioting that killed several thousand Sikhs in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Among the people in the courtroom after the judgment in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case was pronounced on Tuesday acquitting Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, these two persons were the cynosure of all eyes. While inconsolable, the manner in which they handled their emotions differed.

With distress on his face palpable, the normally media savvy senior advocate H. S. Phoolka could not speak for several minutes despite several reporters walking over to his side. Riot victim Jagdish Kaur on the other hand gave vent to her anger at Mr. Kumar’s acquittal. “I lost my husband, son, and three brothers in the riots. All my hopes have been dashed. If Sajjan has been freed, then I should be killed like the rest of my family,” Ms. Kaur told reporters, while refusing to move out of the courtroom.

She also levelled a number of accusations against Mr. Kumar and alleged that attempts were made to influence her testimony to the court. When Mr. Phoolka – who took a long time to reconcile with the judgment – finally agreed to speak, he criticised the testimony of six personnel of the Delhi Police in favour of Sajjan Kumar. He alleged that the Delhi Police had shielded Sajjan Kumar from the beginning.

Senior advocate H. S. Phoolka, counsel for the victims, termed the judgment unfortunate. “The court has taken a very hyper-technical view. How can the testimony of the witnesses recorded by it be held against five accused and the testimony of the same witnesses be not held against one accused. When the statements of the witnesses are believed regarding the five accused, why are they not believed against Kumar?” Mr. Phoolka questioned.

Ms. Kaur, who was accompanied by her son Gurdeep, was unceremoniously led out of the courtroom by the arrival of an intimidating contingent of police personnel, decked in anti-riot gear and carrying batons. She chose to continue her defiance outside the court building, where she and a handful of Sikhs held a sit-in protest against the police detaining Karnail Singh, who had allegedly flung his shoe at the judge.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, he expressed the hope that the Supreme Court would take cognisance of this “blatant” denial of justice to the families of 3,000 victims and order reinvestigation as was done in the case of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.

Mr. Badal said it was most unfortunate that a glimmer of hope for justice, 29 years after the biggest massacre of the century, was put out due to “open complicity of the Delhi Police, the CBI and their mentor — the Congress.”

The Shiromani Akali Dal would not allow the Congress to put a lid on the massacre and would continue to fight till all culprits, including Mr. Kumar and Mr. Tytler, were given exemplary punishment, he said.

As a non-Sikh, this judgment brings tears to my eyes. I hang my head in shame in front of all my Sikh brothers and sisters whose families were violated in the riots and whose wounds have been opened up by this judgment.

And for all who think this is an exclusive problem associated with Congress, I also hang my head in shame in front of all my Muslim brothers and sisters who face untold sufferings in the so called communal riots engineered by political parties.

The problem is that our judiciary is completely compromised. Even when it delivers a just sentence, there are enough loopholes to help the culprits evade punishment. This is not a Congress or a BJP problem (both of whom protect their people from prosecution) but rather a sign of how unruly powerful elements run amok with protection from their political bosses and how we as a people take injustice lightly.

from:
Satyan Veshi

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 21:26 IST

again the statement is true. "justice delayed is justice denied". here the culprits should be punished by law and order irrespective of political junk.

from:
s m farooq

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 16:25 IST

When will people wake up to Congress and completely demolish it as a party with any future. Why as a nation we allow these type of people to survive and judgement that takes 20 years to make. This slow justice gives criminals ability to do anything. Dont we as a country realize that sooner there is law and order, no caste quota, no corruption we all will become a lot better off than now - even the corrupt leaders.

from:
Amit

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 12:13 IST

If the sikh community feel a let down by the court's acquittal of Sajjan Kumar, there are further legal avenue to pursue for justice. Throwing shoes on the judge, blaming the constitution and judiciary is not acceptable. The shiromani akali dal should come out clean before commenting on the court's decision.

from:
Prasan Saxena

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 11:22 IST

My heart goes out for the families of the victims. The same Congress pounds Narendra Modi, even though there is no witness against him, but shields Sajjan Kumar, jagdish tytler, against whom the witnesses testified. hypocrisy of congress at its best

from:
nikhil

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 10:15 IST

These Congress folks are ready to blame Modi for Ahmedabad riots while they themselves get out using all means from the clutches of the law. Congress has no moral grounds.

from:
S.Balakrishnan

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 08:41 IST

This is happening in a country where the Prime Minister is a Sikh. What else would happen to this nation? A very sad day indeed.

from:
Raja

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 07:56 IST

Indeed all hopes of getting Justice to Mother Jagdish Kaur and all those Sikh families is shattered. Delhi Police, Congress and CBI have played their game in saving Sajjan Kumar and soon Jagdish Tytler would get of the hook too. God is watching, there is delay in Justice but truth shall prevail.

from:
Chandra Hyderabadi

Posted on: May 1, 2013 at 07:15 IST

How shameful!! Very sad day for all Indians. What is the hope for getting any justice if after 30 years of fighting?